Special projects

3 contractors picked to repair Sandy-damaged Ocean Parkway

Dunes blow sand over the damaged section of Ocean Parkway as the water encroaches east of Jones Beach in Wantagh. The rough water from Sandy damaged an entire lane on the parkway. (Nov. 16, 2012) Photo Credit: Steve Pfost

New York State has picked three contractors to repair Ocean Parkway and the Robert Moses State Park traffic circle, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced Thursday.

The companies that submitted the winning bid of $33.2 million are Bove Industries of East Setauket, John P. Picone of upstate Williamsville, and Tully Construction of Flushing. Cuomo called the work a "joint venture" of New York-based firms.

The contractors were tentatively selected pending a final review, which will include further vetting of the contractors and completion of paperwork, an administration source said Thursday.

Work on the Sandy-damaged parkway and traffic circle is expected to begin immediately, the governor said.

"New York State is moving quickly to repair Ocean Parkway and reopen the connection to Robert Moses State Park," Cuomo said in a statement. "Step by step, our state's infrastructure is being restored."

The eastbound side of the parkway suffered unprecedented damage as it was pounded by Sandy's storm surges that also obliterated the dunes. In parts, particularly a strip two miles west of Gilgo Beach near Tobay, the ocean overran the road. The road was closed for nearly a month after the storm.

Ocean Parkway is a 15.5-mile road that provides commuter access to many South Shore recreational areas and residential communities.

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Cuomo also announced that Norfolk Dredging, of Virginia, was selected as a subcontractor to dredge sand from the Fire Island Inlet. The sand will be used to rebuild and restore the protective dunes along Ocean Parkway and the Robert Moses traffic circle, as well as along the beaches at the Robert Moses State Park.

New York State Transportation Commissioner Joan MacDonald said Thursday that the "repair and restoration project will be completed in time for Memorial Day."

Most of the work must be completed by April 24 with stiff penalties -- $25,000 a day -- if the successful bidder runs behind, according to plans shown to prequalified bidders.

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Marc Herbst, executive director of the Long Island Contractors Association, said: "This experience proves the industry can expeditiously put together bids and move forward major construction to help restore the community in Sandy's aftermath."